Bus firm urged to do U-turn over move to axe service

By Roy Beers

More than 130 people have signed a petition urging First Glasgow to do a U-turn on their decision to axe the X-81 Glasgow to Bishopbriggs bus.

The move is set to take effect from October 19, as the bus firm prepares to trim under-used services in areas also including Cumbernauld.

Local man Donald McDonald says it is wrong to remove a key service without consultation, and has slammed the decision as a “further insult to the people living in the area”.

He said: “Losing this valuable service, which is used to travel quickly into the city, would be a real blow to young people and those who don’t want to use a car to travel into the city centre. The X81 starts in Woodhill, and goes through Robroyston before using the M80 to get into the city.

“Over the years the bus service enjoyed by residents in Woodhill has slowly deteriorated. The X81 was cut back to just peak hours and other routes changed.”

But First Glasgow says it has already tried various ways of keeping the X-81 going, and that a further attempt to save it by running buses only at peak times was a failure.

A spokeswoman said the firm had to remain viable to deliver high quality services with affordable fares. It aims to spend £14million this year on 75 new modern vehicles with leather seats, free wifi and more room for buggies and wheelchairs in a bid to make travel more attractive.